Page 55 of Found By Him

Jack: Baby, you have absolutely no reason to be sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m glad to hear you are willing to have him help. He really is the best.

Me: Thank you Jack

Jack: Don’t thank me. You know what my payment scale is for my services.

I laugh at his attempts to lighten the mood, glad we can both move on from this morning the best we can.

Jack: He wants to meet with you today if you’re up for it. I can let you know what time someone will be by to pick you up.

Me: Sounds good

I grab my coffee cup and start to get ready.

Jackand I are seated at the conference table, similar to the day I told him and Nate about being fired. We’re waiting for Chris to arrive. Nerves flutter through me as I jiggle my leg under the table until Jack’s hand finds my thigh.

“Relax, baby.” He clasps my leg and gives me an encouraging smile before returning to whatever he’s looking at on his phone.

I blow out a breath through pursed lips and nod.

He watches me for a few moments before leaning back in his chair on an exhale.

The door opens, and Chris walks in, followed by Nate and Ian. Chris nods his greeting to us and takes a seat at the head of the table.

Nate addresses me first. “Ella, I hope it’s okay that Ian and I are here. If it isn’t, let us know, and we can leave.”

“You can stay,” I confirm quietly.

They take a seat across from Jack and me.

Chris pulls out a file folder from his bag. “Since you haven’t actually been charged with anything, I can’t have access to the evidence like I would if we were going through discover.”

My shoulders sink. I knew that. But seeing what I’m up against would have been nice. No telling what Craig fabricated. Chris continues. “However, I have some friends who were willing to talk with me off the record. The evidence the cops have is…let’s say, uninspiring.”

I perk up at his statement.

“What do you mean?” Jack asks.

Chris sighs and half shrugs. “I’m sure I didn’t get to see everything. But unless they have something more concrete in the works, everything they have is extremely circumstantial. They’re making some leaps based largely, from what I could see, statements from your former bosses and a fewinvoices and payment approvals. I don’t believe they have anything that links you to the bank accounts.”

“They won’t find any link because I didn’t do anything,” I assert adamantly. All of this sounds promising, but this is my first time dealing with the possibility of being accused of a crime, so I could certainly be wrong.

Chris gives me a solemn nod.

“What happens from here?” I wipe my clammy palms on my jeans.

Chris leans forward, placing his elbows on the table and interlocking his fingers. “Look, Ella. I don’t want to sugarcoat this. I’ve seen cases brought to trial with only circumstantial evidence.”

I press my fingers to my lips, sucking in a breath.

He holds up his hand. “But any two-bit defense attorney fresh out of law school could rip this apart in court.” His face breaks into a cocky smile. “And lucky for you, I’mnota two-bit defense attorney fresh out of law school. Now that they know I’m representing you, they’re going to make damn sure what they have is solid and unshakable before they move forward. Which I’m just not seeing as of yet.”

My watery smile is forced, but I appreciate his reassurance. “Okay, thank you.”

Chris stands and gathers the papers. “Get my number from Jack, and if you think of anything that might be helpful, call me immediately. I know this is easy for me to say, but try not to stress. Right now, we wait.”

I nod my understanding as he stalks out of the conference room. Nate and Ian follow him out, leaving Jack and I alone.

My chair swivels toward him from his grip on the armrest. When I’m facing him, Jack looks into my eyes andsays, “Gisella, I know I already this once, but I’m very sorry about this morning.”

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